How to choose a sheepskin: size, wool and colour

A sheepskin brings warmth and softness to almost any room. Here is how to find the one that is right for yours.

Where will it go?

• A dining chair or armchair: about 90 to 100 cm drapes beautifully over the seat and back.
• A bench or the end of a bed: about 100 to 120 cm.
• The floor: from about 120 cm it makes a lovely rug beside the bed or in front of the sofa.
• Something longer: our sheepskin runners join two skins into about 180 × 60 cm, lovely along a bed or down a hallway.

Short or long wool?

British multicolour, brown, white and mouflon sheepskins have dense, springy wool of about 4 to 10 cm: soft underfoot and easy to live with. Icelandic sheepskins have long, flowing wool of 12 to 18 cm that drapes beautifully over furniture. Medical sheepskins have short, dense Australian merino wool of 2 to 3 cm, lovely on a bed or a desk chair.

Which look?

• British multicolour: the sheep’s own mix of shades, so no two are alike.
• Natural brown: the colour the sheep grew, so every skin has its own shade.
• White: classic and bright, lovely in a light room.
• Mouflon: the tips of the wool are darkened, for depth and a layered look.
• Icelandic Rusty: the tips are lightened, for a warm, rusty look.
• Dyed Icelandic: long wool in a bold colour that stands out.

We photograph in daylight, and the product details show whether a colour is natural, tipped or dyed. For a light room, a white skin brings brightness; for a warmer feel, brown and mouflon are lovely.

What the photos show

Pictured sheepskins are photographed on their own: the one you see is the one you receive. Stock sheepskins are hand-picked for you in the size you choose.

Ready? Start with our sheepskin rugs, and keep yours lovely with our care guide.